Compensation modeling using plan collections

ABSTRACT

A system for compensation modeling includes an interface and a processor. The interface is to receive live transactional compensation data. The system processor is to determine a set of compensation assignment plans based at least in part on the live transactional compensation data, determine a compensation model based at least in part on the set of compensation assignment plans, and provide the compensation model.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/143,411, entitled COMPENSATION MODELING USING PLAN COLLECTIONS filedApr. 29, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Large, multi-national corporations have diverse employee populations,each with a unique set of interrelated compensation components asdictated by country specific laws, union contracts, and companypolicies. Managing these diverse sets of compensation components andtheir interdependencies by a single set of company defined rules iscomplicated and time consuming for the Compensation Administrator. Acompensation professional must define a set of rules for eachcompensation component, define their interdependencies, and theirdependent proportions such that each individual component of anemployee's compensation can be valued correctly when a totalcompensation amount is awarded. Due to complexity, a compensationprofessional typically uses a subset of applicable compensation factorsand plans, resulting in inaccurate calculations that must be manuallychanged to fit budget requirements, and even with this the calculationsare time consuming and so are not necessarily using up to date data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forcompensation modeling.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forcompensation modeling.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of compensation schemeinformation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of compensation planinformation.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a compensation modelrequest.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a compensation modelrequest.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a compensation model.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process forcompensation modeling.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process formodeling an employee hire.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process formodeling an employee total compensation change.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process formodeling an employee position change.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process formodeling a hypothetical compensation scenario change.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a computerprogram product embodied on a computer readable storage medium; and/or aprocessor, such as a processor configured to execute instructions storedon and/or provided by a memory coupled to the processor. In thisspecification, these implementations, or any other form that theinvention may take, may be referred to as techniques. In general, theorder of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within thescope of the invention. Unless stated otherwise, a component such as aprocessor or a memory described as being configured to perform a taskmay be implemented as a general component that is temporarily configuredto perform the task at a given time or a specific component that ismanufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the term ‘processor’refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing coresconfigured to process data, such as computer program instructions.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. The invention is described in connectionwith such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to anyembodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims andthe invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications andequivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the followingdescription in order to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

A system for compensation modeling is disclosed. The system comprises aninterface to receive live transactional compensation data. The systemadditionally comprises a processor to determine a set of compensationassignment plans based at least in part on the live transactionalcompensation data, determine a compensation model based at least in parton the set of compensation assignment plans, and provide thecompensation model.

In some embodiments, the system for compensation modeling is used toproject or determine an employee's compensation based on livetransactional compensation data. In various embodiments, the livetransactional compensation data comprises a total compensation amount,job-related factors, a set of compensation plans, compensation planguarantees, ceiling amounts, or any other appropriate compensation data.In some embodiments, an employee's total compensation is divided amongstmultiple compensation plans, which in various embodiments comprises asalary base plan, a sales commission plan, a housing stipend, a yearlybonus, and any other appropriate plan. In some embodiments, acompensation plan guarantee stipulates a specific plan to have a minimummonetary value as specified by union contracts, legal requirements,obligations acquired through acquisitions, or other appropriate means.In some embodiments, guaranteed amounts represent a long-term obligationto the company that is an essential factor in budgeting and compensationallocation. In some embodiments, a ceiling amount stipulates an upperlimit for an amount that can be allocated to an individual employee fora compensation plan. In some embodiments, a compensation modeling systemtakes into account compensation factors and compensation plans, whichare continuously updated, and automatically calculates the breakdown ofthe employee compensation.

In some embodiments, the system for compensation modeling comprises aprocessor to determine a set of compensation assignment plans based atleast in part on the live transactional compensation data. In someembodiments, the compensation data comprises a set of plans. In someembodiments, the live transactional compensation data comprisescompensation factors. In some embodiments, the processor usescompensation information stored in a computer memory and compensationfactors to determine the appropriate set of plans. In some embodiments,the compensation information comprises a description of a compensationplan or information on compensation plan interdependencies. In someembodiments, the compensation plan information comprises information ondetermining a compensation scheme (e.g. a group of compensation plans)based on one or more compensation factors. The processor determines acompensation model based at least in part on the set of compensationassignment plans and provides the compensation model. In someembodiments, the compensation modeling system receives a totalcompensation amount for each employee, works out the interdependenciesof each component compensation plan, and interprets the component'srules in order to automatically assign a value to each plan, such thatthe sum total of the values for each component is exactly equal to theassigned total compensation value.

In some embodiments, a client of the system for compensation modelingcomprises a compensation administrator, a user of the system, or anyother appropriate person or entity. In some embodiments, a compensationmodeling system allows a client system to access real-time compensationdata in determining employee compensation. In some embodiments, acompensation modeling system allows a client system to pull a specificemployee's compensation information and analyze the effect of changes,for example, a job change, on an employee's compensation. In someembodiments, a compensation modeling system saves hours of effort andprovides forward looking planning capabilities that help users of aclient system maximize compensation outlays. In some embodiments, thecompensation modeling system determines plan behaviors and establishesthe required processing order. Competing systems require that acompensation professional work out a processing order and assign aprocessing order number to each of potentially thousands of plans intheir system. The compensation modeling system eliminates thisrequirement for compensation professionals, which saves many hours ofeffort. In addition, the compensation modeling system accuratelycomputes a worker's salary amount from the context of a set of planassignments. In some embodiments, the compensation modeling systemaccurately computes each worker's salary amount from the context of aset of plan assignments. Eliminating the need to compute and assign anindividual salary amount for a worker, a set of workers, or each workerin the system is also a large time saver for the compensationprofessional. The compensation modeling system allows compensationadministrators to quickly and accurately run a variety of hypotheticalscenarios with real-time data to project the financial impact of futurecompensation changes to the organization. The combination of the timesavings and financial planning support afforded by the system allowslarge complex multi-national companies to manage and optimize employees'compensation and costs with a single global model and a smaller, morecentralized staff, giving these companies a competitive advantage overusers of other systems.

In some embodiments, a check is routinely performed to monitor thecompensation data for changes. In some embodiments, in the event thecompensation data is found to be updated, the compensation model isupdated based on the compensation data. In some embodiments, thecompensation data is flagged upon being used in determining acompensation plan. In some embodiments, in the event a flaggedcompensation data is changed, a corresponding compensation model isupdated. In various embodiments, a compensation model is triggered to beupdated based on an updated compensation data, a revision of thecompensation scheme, a revision of the compensation factors, a revisionof a compensation plan, a revision of compensation planinterdependencies, or a recalculation of the compensation model (e.g. astriggered by a user).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forcompensation modeling. In the example shown, FIG. 1 comprises network100. In various embodiments, network 100 comprises one or more of thefollowing: a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, awireless network, the Internet, an intranet, a storage area network, orany other appropriate communication network. Client system 102,application server system 104, and data storage system 106 communicatevia network 100. In various embodiments, application server system 104comprises a system for accessing data storage system 106 and interactingwith client system 102. In some embodiments, application server system104 comprises a compensation modeling system for providing compensationmodels to client system 102. In various embodiments, the network systemcomprises 1, 2, 5, 10, 22, 122, or any other appropriate number ofclient systems. Data storage system 106 comprises computer memory tostore information needed for compensation modeling. In some embodiments,data storage system 106 comprises a human resources data storage system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system forcompensation modeling. In some embodiments, client system 200 isimplemented by client system 102 of FIG. 1 . In some embodiments,application server system 212 is implemented by application serversystem 104 of FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, data storage system 202 isimplemented by data storage system 106 of FIG. 1 . In the example shown,client system 200 sends compensation model request 214 to applicationserver system 212. In some embodiments, compensation model request 214comprises live transactional compensation data. In some embodiments,application server system 212 implements compensation modeling system210 to interpret compensation model request 214 and retrieve therequired information for the compensation model from data storage system202. In some embodiments, the required information in data storagesystem 202 comprises compensation scheme information 204, used tospecify a set of compensation plans, and compensation plan information206, used to specify plan details. In some embodiments, compensationmodeling system 210 determines a compensation model based at least inpart on the set of compensation assignment plans that comprise thecompensation scheme associated with model request 214. In someembodiments, compensation modeling system 210 provides client system 200with compensation model 216 based on live transactional compensationdata provided by a client system in compensation model request 214. Insome embodiments, compensation modeling system 210 stores compensationmodel 208 in data storage system 202 categorized appropriately, forexample under an employee name. In some embodiments, the communicationshown between blocks of the block diagram are in communication vianetwork 100 of FIG. 1 .

In some embodiments, compensation modeling system updates a compensationmodel (e.g., compensation model 208, compensation model 216, etc.) basedat least in part on an updated input data (e.g., input data comprisingdata provided by the client system, data provided by data storagesystem, live transaction data, compensation data, compensation schemedata, compensation pan data, etc.). In some embodiments, an indicationindicates that an input data to a compensation model is updated, andbased on the indication, the compensation modeling system stores theupdated input data, recalculates the model, stores an updated model, andprovides the updated model to a client system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of compensation schemeinformation. In some embodiments, compensation scheme information 204 ofFIG. 2 comprises compensation scheme information 300. In someembodiments, compensation scheme information 300 comprises livetransactional compensation data. In some embodiments, the livetransactional compensation data comprises sets of compensation factors,as shown in the diagram in column 302. In some embodiments, a set ofcompensation factors describe or identify a job role or employeeposition. In some embodiments, compensation scheme information 300comprises sets of compensation plans associated with the compensationfactors, as shown in the diagram in column 304.

In the example shown in FIG. 300 , compensation factors “JobProfile—Product Engineer,” “Citizenship Status—USA,” “CompensationGrade—3,” “Is Manager—No,” and “Last Review Rating—5” of compensationfactors column 302 are associated with compensation plans “PERF,”“SFZ2,” “VPBC,” and “BASE” of compensation plans column 304.Compensation factors “Job Profile—Financial Assistant,” “CollectiveAgreement—Citizens United,” “External Pay Group—Business Group,” “OnLeave—Yes,” “Pay Rate Type—Hourly,” and “Scheduled Hours—40” ofcompensation factors column 302 are associated with compensation plans“PERF,” “STIP,” “SZF1,” “SFZ2,” “FCZ2,” and “BASE” of compensation planscolumn 304. Compensation factors “Job Profile—Sales Engineer,”“Gender—Male,” “Work Shift—Night,” “Time in Position—2 months,”“Contract Reason—Temp hire,” and “Unions—Active” of compensation factorscolumn 302 are associated with compensation plans “VPBC,” “FCZ1,”“DEAR,” and “BASE” of compensation plans column 304.

In some embodiments, an appropriate set of compensation plans to use ina compensation model is determined by a compensation modeling system bysearching for the set of compensation plans associated with a given setof compensation factors. In some embodiments, a compensation schemecomprises 5, 27, 93, or any appropriate number of compensation plans. Insome embodiments, a collection of compensation plans or compensationscheme is determined by multiple job-related compensation factors. Invarious embodiments, a collection of compensation plans or compensationscheme is determined by 3, 25, 80, 140, or any appropriate number ofcompensation factors. In some embodiments, the compensation factors arecontinuously updated by an outside server to maintain accuracy. Thetable below describes compensation factors used in various embodiments:

Compensation Factor Description Age Returns the Age of a Worker inyears. Benefit Group Contains the Benefit Group for the Worker. BlendedFTE Returns the Blended FTE for a Worker's Primary Job. CitizenshipStatus The legal status of the Worker. Collective Agreement Thecollective agreement(s) of the employee's contract. Collective AgreementArea The Collective Agreement Area for the Compensation Event.Collective Agreement Coefficient The Collective Agreement Coefficientfor the Compensation Event. Collective Agreement Group The CollectiveAgreement Group for the Compensation Event. Collective Agreement LevelThe Collective Agreement Level for the Compensation Event. CollectiveAgreement Position The Collective Agreement Position for theCompensation Event. Collective Agreement Position for Worker TheCollective Agreement Position for the Compensation Event. CollectiveAgreement Professional Category The Collective Agreement ProfessionalCategory for the Compensation Event. Collective Agreement Step TheCollective Agreement Step for the Compensation Event. Company Thecompany for the Worker. Compensation Grade Returns the applicablecompensation grade. Compensation Grade Hierarchy Current CompensationHierarchy Name and Rank for Worker. Compensation Grade Hierarchy RankCurrent Compensation Hierarchy Rank value for Worker. Compensation GradeProfile Returns the applicable compensation grade profile. CompensationPlans Contains the compensation plans assigned to an employee.Compensation Step Returns the applicable compensation step. ContinuousService Date Employee service date taking into account breaks inservice. Contract Reason The reason(s) of the employee contract. CostCenter Returns the applicable cost center. Country of Location Returnsthe country location. Country of Location Current Otherwise Last Thecountry of the location for the Worker otherwise the last known KnownLocation country of the location for the terminated Worker. CustomOrganizations The custom organizations for the Worker. External PayGroup The external pay group for the Worker. FTE % The full timeequivalent percentage for the Worker. Gender The gender of the Worker.Hire Date Returns the applicable hire date. Is International AssigneeReturns true if a Worker is on a current international assignment. IsManager Returns true if the Worker has a Manager Role. Job Category Thejob category for the Worker. Job Classifications The complete set of jobclassifications proposed for the position, and job classificationsassociated with the job profile. Job Code Returns the applicable jobcode. Job Exempt The exempt flag for the Worker as of the effectivedate. This report field will only work for a Worker and does not workwith unfilled positions (i.e. it cannot be used in a compensation ruleassociated with default compensation). Job Family and Job Family GroupReturns the applicable job family and job family group. Job LevelReturns the applicable job level. Job Profile Returns the applicable jobprofile. Last Review Rating The overall rating for the last completedemployee review. The overall rating comes from the overall section inthe manager's evaluation. Length of Service in Months from The number ofmonths of service for the Worker, taking into account Continuous ServiceDate breaks in service. Length of Service in Partial Years The years ofservice for the Worker including a partial year represented in 2decimals. Length of Service in Years The years of service for theWorker. Location Returns the applicable location. Location Hierarchy Thelocation hierarchy for the Worker based on the location of the Worker.For job application, the location hierarchy is based on the location'shiring requirement of the Job Requisition. Management Level Returns theapplicable management level. Nationality Contains the primary country ofwhich the Worker is a national. On Leave Returns true if the employee ison leave. Organization Hierarchies The organization hierarchies for thenew organizations assigned to the Worker as of the effective date.Organization and Superior Organizations The organization and superiororganizations for the position. Organizations Contains all theorganizations (e.g. supervisory, cost center, region, etc) for theposition, headcount group, or hiring restrictions. Pay Group Theproposed pay group for the Worker if available, else current pay group.Pay Rate Type The pay rate type for the Worker. Position Returns theapplicable position. Primary Address-Country The country from theworker's primary home address. Primary Termination Reason The primaryreason for termination. Rating-Current Performance Review The overallrating for the last completed performance review. The overall ratingcomes from the overall section in the manager's evaluation. ScheduledHours Returns the applicable scheduled hours. Secondary TerminationReasons The secondary reasons for the termination. State of LocationReturns the applicable state location. Supervisory Organization Thesupervisory organization for the position. Termination Date Theeffective date of the worker's termination Termination Date Recent orFuture The effective date of the worker's recent or future termination.Termination Reason The reason for termination. Termination Reason Recentor Future The reason for recent or future termination. Time Type Returnsthe applicable time type. For example, full time or part time. Time inPosition The length of time the Worker has been in the position.Unions-Active Contains the Unions that the Worker is currently Activein. Unions-Active and Paid Dues Contains the Unions that the Worker isActive in and is Paying Dues in. Unions-All Contains all Unions that theWorker is associated with, regardless of membership status. Unions-PaidDues Contains the Unions in which the Worker is currently paying dues.Work Address-Country The country from the work address for the Worker.If the work address is blank, then uses the country of the primaryaddress from the worker's location. Work Shift Returns the applicablework shift. Employee Contract Reason The reason(s) of the employeecontract. Employee ID The Employee ID for the Worker.Employee/Contingent Worker Type Returns the applicable Worker sub-type.Worker Identifies the Worker. Worker Active Returns true if Worker isactive. Worker Certifications Contains the certifications that a Workerhas been issued. Worker Event Returns a Worker Event for certainCompensation Rule Targetable subclasses: For Position, returns thelatest Staffing Event on or before the Processing Moment For PositionGroup return the most recent Position Group Event on or before theProcessing Moment For Staffing Event and Position Group Event, returnsitself. Worker is Employee Returns true if Worker is an employee.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of compensation planinformation. In various embodiments, compensation plan information isstored as data objects with attributes, as a hash table, or in any otherappropriate form. In some embodiments, compensation plan information 400comprises information for all possible compensation plans used in acompensation scheme—for example, used as a basis for a compensationmodel. In some embodiments, compensation plan information 206 of FIG. 2comprises compensation plan information 400. In some embodiments,compensation plan information 400 comprises live transactionalcompensation data. In some embodiments, compensation plans arecontinuously updated to reflect ongoing negotiations or time-sensitivecontracts. In some embodiments, compensation plan information 400comprises an associated plan description, percentage or fixed amount,and/or percentage basis for a given plan name stored in the planinformation. Column 402 of the data table shown in FIG. 4 comprisesnames of plans detailed in compensation plan information 400. Column 404comprises descriptions of the plans. Column 406 comprises percentagesand fixed amounts.

In FIG. 4 , plan name “PERF” is associated with plan description“Performance Bonus” with a fixed amount of $17,000. Plan name “SFZ2” isassociated with plan description “Saving Fund Zone B,” a percentage of12%, and a percentage basis of “GRNPS1.” Plan name “VPBC” is associatedwith plan description “Vacation Premium Base,” a percentage of 2.5%, anda percentage basis of “GRBASE.” Plan name “BASE” is associated with aplan description of “Base Pay (Salary).”

In some embodiments, a set of compensation plans used to determine acompensation model comprises a fixed amount plan, wherein a plan has anassociated fixed monetary amount. In some embodiments, a set ofcompensation plans comprises a percentage-based plan, wherein a plan hasa monetary amount that is a percentage of a percentage basis. In variousembodiments, a percentage basis is another plan or multiple plans of thecompensation scheme. In some embodiments, for a compensation schemecomprising a percentage-based plan, a first plan of a set ofcompensation assignment plans comprises a dependency on a second plan ormultiple plans in the set of compensation assignment plans. Column 408comprises percentage bases for percentage-based plans.

In some embodiments, compensation plan information 400 comprisespercentage basis information 410. In some embodiments, percentage basisinformation 410 comprises a percentage basis name and a set ofassociated plans used as the basis for the percentage basis name. Column412 comprises percentage basis names and column 414 comprises associatedsets of plans used as the basis.

In FIG. 4 , percentage basis name “GRNPS1” is associated with plans“PERF” and “VPBC” used as the basis. Percentage basis plan “GRBASE” isassociated with plan “BASE” used as the basis.

In some embodiments, the plan or multiple plans in the sets of plansused as bases must appear in the compensation scheme. In someembodiments, a plan included in the compensation scheme and has adependency on another plan must be dependent only on plans that are alsoincluded in the compensation scheme. In some embodiments, a set ofcompensation plans used as the basis of a percentage-based plancomprises an unlimited number of plans. In some embodiments, acompensation scheme comprises an unlimited number of interdependentcompensation plans. In some embodiments, compensation modeling system210 of FIG. 2 searches compensation plan information 400 based on planname for plan information on plans included in the compensation scheme.

In some embodiments, compensation plan information 400 comprisesinformation on a base pay plan that has an undetermined amount and isnot a percentage of any other plan. In some embodiments, the base payplan monetary amount is determined by the compensation modeling systembased on the compensation scheme and corresponding compensation planinformation. In the example shown, plan “SFZ2” is shown to be 12% of“GRNPS1.” Percentage basis name “GRNPS1” refers to a set of plans “PERF”and “VPBC.” In some embodiments, the monetary amount of “SFZ2” is 12% ofthe monetary amount of the sum of “PERF” and “VPBC.” In someembodiments, an additional field is included in compensation planinformation 400, allowing the percentage to be taken from the differenceof the total compensation amount and the sum of the monetary amounts ofplans included in the percentage basis. For example, in a subtractioncase, the monetary amount of “SFZ2” is 12% of the total compensationamount after subtracting the sum of “PERF” and “VPBC.”

In some embodiments, a compensation plan is classified as a specifictype of plan. The table below describes various embodiments ofcompensation plan types.

Compensation Plan Type Description Salary Plan Defines basic payments.There are three variants: Salary by Amount, Salary by Units Worked (e.g.piece work rates) and Hourly. Period Salary A salary amount that isdefined as a time based proportion of the employee's salary. For Planexample, 1 month's salary would mean the employee gets one additionalmonth's worth of salary. Allowance Defines additional amounts that canbe paid to an employee. There are three variants: Amount, Plan Percentand Unit based plans. Amount is a fixed amount. The amount for a percentplan is calculated as a percentage of a specified compensation basis.Unit based plans are based on a number of units achieved by an employee.There is a specialized type of plan called a reimbursement allowancewhich is used to reimburse employees for authorized expenses, forexample: college tuition fees. Bonus Plan Defines the amount an employeeis likely to be given were they to hit their goals and targets. Thereare 2 variants: Amount and Percent based. The amount for a percent planis calculated as a percentage of a specified compensation basis. StockPlan Defines the stock an employee is likely to be granted were they tohit their goals and targets. There are 3 variants: Amount, Percent andUnit based. Amount represents an amount that will be converted to actualstock units when the strike price is known. Similarly percent plansrepresent a percentage of a specified compensation basis which isconverted to an amount and ultimately to actual stock units. Unit basedplans specify the number of shares the employee will be granted. You canalso specify different types of long term incentive (e.g. options, RSUs,long term cash, etc.). Commission Used in sales situations to rewardemployees with amounts based on sales achieved. Plan Calculated Aspecialized plan where a customer can define custom calculations todetermine the amount an Plan employee is paid based on that plan.Retirement Defines the amount of money being paid into a retirementsavings plan by the employee and Savings Plan employer. Future Aspecialized plan for employees who are paid bonuses over a term period.Payment Plan

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a compensation modelrequest. In some embodiments, compensation model request 214 of FIG. 2comprises compensation model request 500. In the example shown,compensation model request 500 comprises total compensation amount 502.Compensation model request 500 comprises set of compensation plans 504.In the figure, total compensation amount 502 is $103,490 andcompensation plans 504 comprise plans “PERF,” “SFZ2,” “VPBC,” and“BASE.” In some embodiments, a compensation modeling system determines acompensation model based at least in part on set of compensation plans504 provided by a client system in compensation model request 500. Insome embodiments, total compensation amount 502 is used to calculate theappropriate monetary amounts of plans listed in compensation plans 504.In some embodiments, a provided collection of compensation plans 504 incompensation model request 500 eliminates the need for a modeling systemto retrieve compensation scheme information 204 of FIG. 2 . In someembodiments, a provided collection of compensation plans 504 providescompensation scheme information. In some embodiments, live transactionaldata provided by a client system comprises set of compensation plans504.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a compensation modelrequest. In some embodiments, compensation model request 214 of FIG. 2comprises compensation model request 550. In the example shown,compensation model request 550 comprises total compensation amount 552,shown to be $91,000. Compensation model request 550 comprises set ofcompensation factors 554, shown to be “Job Profile—Product Engineer,”“Citizenship Status—USA,” “Compensation Grade—3,” “Is Manager—No,” and“Last Review Rating—5”. In some embodiments, a compensation modelingsystem searches compensation scheme information 300 of FIG. 3 to find anassociated collection of compensation plans for set of compensationfactors 554 provided. In some embodiments, total compensation amount 552is used to calculate the appropriate monetary amounts of plansdetermined based on set of compensation factors 554. In someembodiments, live transactional data provided by a client systemcomprises set of compensation factors 554.

In some embodiments, compensation model request 500 or compensationmodel request 550 comprise a maximum or minimum plan value. For example,any plan in the compensation scheme determined for the compensationmodel may not exceed a given maximum monetary value or fall below agiven minimum monetary value. In some embodiments, compensation modelrequest 500 comprises a maximum value or minimum value for a given planin set of plans 504. For example, compensation model request 500specifies plan “VPBC” has a maximum value of $9000 and plan “SFZ2” has aminimum value of $500. In some embodiments, a modeling system considersmaximum and minimum values specified in a model request in determining acompensation model.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a compensation model.In some embodiments, compensation model 216 of FIG. 2 comprisescompensation model request 500. In the example shown, compensation model600 comprises a plan name and an allocated monetary amount associatedwith the plan. Column 602 comprises plan names and column 604 comprisesassociated allocated amounts. In figure shown, plan name “PERF” isassociated with an allocated amount of $17,000. Plan name “SFZ2” isassociated with an allocated amount of $2,286.44. Plan name “VPBC” isassociated with an allocated amount of $2,053.75. Plan name “BASE” isassociated with an allocated amount of $82,149.81. In some embodiments,a compensation modeling system determines compensation model 600 basedon a client compensation model request and compensation informationstored in a data storage system. In various embodiments, compensationinformation comprises a mapping of compensation factors to acompensation scheme, a description of a compensation plan, or any otherappropriate information.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process forcompensation modeling from the perspective of a compensation modelingsystem. In the example shown, in 700 a compensation modeling systemreceives a compensation model request. For example, a compensationmodeling system receives a compensation model request including a totalcompensation amount and compensation plans or factors (e.g.,compensation model request 500 or compensation model request 550 of FIG.5 ). In 702, the compensation modeling system retrieves associatedcompensation scheme and plan information. In some embodiments, theassociated information is stored in data storage system 202 of FIG. 2 .In some embodiments, a compensation model request provides livetransactional compensation data comprising a set of compensationassignment plans. In some embodiments, a compensation model requestprovides live transactional compensation data comprising a set ofcompensation factors and the data modeling system determines theappropriate set of compensation plans based on the factors andcompensation scheme information. In 704, a plan type is determined for aplan. For example, a compensation modeling system determines a plan typefor a plan or each plan in the set of compensation assignment plans. Insome embodiments, the set of compensation plans comprises a fixed amountplan or a percentage-based plan. In 706, dependencies among the plansare determined. For example, the compensation modeling system determinesdependencies within the set of compensation assignment plans. In someembodiments, a first plan in the set of compensation assignment planscomprises a dependency on a second plan or multiple plans in the set ofcompensation assignment plans. In 708, a processing order is determinedfor the plans. For example, the compensation modeling system determinesa processing order for the set of plans. In some embodiments, theprocessing order is determined based at least in part on plan type. Insome embodiments, the processing order for the set of compensationassignment plans is based at least in part on plan dependencies. Invarious embodiments, a compensation modeling system groups plans bycurrency, frequency (e.g., monthly, annual, etc.), percentage or fixedamount plan, percentage basis, or any other appropriate plan type. Forexample, fixed amount plans are first in the processing order, followedby plans with dependencies on fixed amount plans only, and followed byplans depending on dependent plans. In some embodiments, thecompensation modeling system allows the model to be created efficientlywithout the need of a user-entered (e.g., entered by a user using aclient system) grouping ordering code. In 710, a value is assigned for aplan. For example, the compensation modeling system assigns a value fora plan or each plan in the set of compensation plans. In variousembodiments, the determination of the compensation model comprisesassigning a value to a plan, a set of plans, or each plan in the set ofcompensation plans according to the processing order. In 712, planvalues are consolidated into a compensation model. For example, thecompensation modeling system consolidates the assigned plan values intoa compensation model. In various embodiments, the compensation modelcomprises information on a collection of compensation assignment plansand a monetary value for a plan, a set of plans, or each plan. The sumof the monetary values of the plans is the total compensation amount. Insome embodiments, the compensation model is based at least in part on atotal compensation value provided in a model request. In someembodiments, the compensation model is based at least in part on one ormore maximum values or minimum values set for plan(s) in the set ofcompensation assignment plans. In 714, the compensation modeling systemprovides the compensation model. In some embodiments, compensation model216 of FIG. 2 is provided to a client system. In some embodiments,compensation model 208 of FIG. 2 is stored in a computer memory.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process formodeling an employee hire. In some embodiments, a compensation modelingsystem models an employee hire. In the example shown, in 800compensation factors and total compensation amount are received for anemployee hire. For example, a client system provides compensationfactors and a total compensation amount for an employee hire. In someembodiments, a client system provides live transactional compensationdata which comprises the factors and amount. In 802, associatedcompensation scheme and plan information are received. For example, thecompensation modeling system retrieves associated compensation schemeand plan information. In some embodiments, the information comprisescompensation scheme information 204 and compensation plan information206 of FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, a compensation scheme is notrequired as the client system provides a compensation scheme. In 804, ahire model is calculated. For example, the compensation modeling systemcalculates a hire model based on the provided and retrieved information,which in some embodiments comprises real-time, changing data. In 806,the hire model is provided. For example, the compensation modelingsystem provides the hire model to the client system, listing out thecompensation plans and associated monetary amounts. In some embodiments,the hire model is further stored in a memory location associated with anemployee name so that the employee's compensation information is easilyaccessed.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process formodeling an employee total compensation change. In some embodiments, acompensation modeling system models an employee total compensationchange. In the example shown, in 900 employee name and new totalcompensation amount is received. For example, a user provides anemployee name and a total compensation amount to a client system. In902, the compensation modeling system retrieves associated compensationscheme and plan information. In some embodiments, the compensationsystem retrieves a compensation scheme based on the employee's name. Insome embodiments, the compensation plan information is continuouslyupdated to reflect ongoing negotiations and contracts. In someembodiments, the original employee compensation model information andplan information comprises compensation model 208 and compensation planinformation 206 of FIG. 2 . In 904, a model for the new totalcompensation amount is calculated. For example, the compensationmodeling system calculates a model based on the new provided totalcompensation amount. In 906, the compensation change model and theoriginal employee compensation model are provided. For example, thecompensation modeling system provides the compensation change model andthe original employee compensation model to the client system, listingout the compensation plans and associated monetary amounts in bothmodels. A user of the client system is able to compare the two modelsside by side and analyze how compensation plan allocations vary afterthe total compensation change.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process formodeling an employee position change. In some embodiments, acompensation modeling system models an employee position change. In theexample shown in 1000, an employee name and compensation factors arereceived. In some embodiments, a client system receives livetransactional data comprising compensation factors or a collection ofcompensation plans. In 1002, the compensation modeling system retrievesassociated compensation scheme and plan information. In someembodiments, the information comprises compensation scheme information204 and compensation plan information 206 of FIG. 2 . In someembodiments, a compensation scheme is not required as the client systemprovides a compensation scheme. In 1004, the compensation modelingsystem calculates a model for the employee total compensation amount andnew compensation factors. In some embodiments, the model is based on theprovided and retrieved information, which in some embodiments comprisesreal-time, changing data. In some embodiments, the compensation modelingsystem retrieves the total compensation amount for the employee that isstored in computer memory based on the employee name. In 1006, thecompensation modeling system provides the employee position change modeland the original employee compensation model to the client, listing outthe compensation plans and associated monetary amounts based on thecompensation factors and total compensation amount. In some embodiments,the client system is provided the compensation plans and associatedmonetary amounts in both models. A user of the client system is able tocompare the two models side by side and analyze how compensation plansand plan allocations vary after the employee position change.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process formodeling a hypothetical compensation scenario change. In someembodiments, a compensation modeling system models a change betweenmultiple hypothetical compensation scenarios. In the example shown in1100, multiple sets of compensation factors and total compensationamounts. In some embodiments, a client provides live transactional datacomprising compensation factors or a collection of compensation plans.In 1102, the compensation modeling system retrieves associatedcompensation scheme and plan information. In some embodiments, theinformation comprises compensation scheme information 204 andcompensation plan information 206 of FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, acompensation scheme is not required as the client provides acompensation scheme. In 1104, the compensation modeling systemcalculates models for a set of total compensation amounts and newcompensation factors. In various embodiments, the set of totalcompensation amounts comprises one set, multiple sets, each set, or anyother appropriate number of sets of total compensation amounts. In someembodiments, the model is based on the provided and retrievedinformation, which in some embodiments comprises real-time, changingdata. In 1106, the compensation modeling system provides a model for ahypothetical compensation scenario, listing out the compensation plansand associated monetary amounts based on the compensation factors andtotal compensation amounts provided. In various embodiments, the clientsystem is provided a model for a hypothetical compensation scenario, aset of hypothetical compensation scenario, each hypotheticalcompensation scenario, or any other appropriate number of scenario. Auser of the client system is able to compare multiple models side byside and analyze how compensation plans and plan allocations vary. Aclient is able to use the information in budgeting, negotiations, andother processes vital to a business operation.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detailfor purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limitedto the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementingthe invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for compensation modeling, comprising:an interface to: receive live transactional compensation data, whereinthe live transactional compensation data comprises a plurality ofcompensation factors associated with an employee; and a processor to:determine, for the employee, an appropriate set of compensationassignment plans from a set of compensation plans based at least in parton the plurality of compensation factors associated with the employee;determine a compensation scheme corresponding to the employee based atleast in part on the appropriate set of compensation assignment plans;provide a compensation model that is based on the compensation scheme,wherein the compensation model is based on a first compensation factorof the plurality of compensation factors, wherein the compensation modelcorresponding to the employee is configured to output a totalcompensation amount that is based on corresponding amounts associatedwith each of the compensation assignment plans included in theappropriate set of compensation assignment plans; monitor the livetransactional compensation data for one or more changes; determine thatthe first compensation factor that is based on the live transactionalcompensation data has changed; and in response to the determination thatthe first compensation factor that is based on the live transactionalcompensation data has changed, flag and update the compensation model.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of compensation planscomprises a fixed amount plan.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the setof compensation assignment plans comprises a percentage-based plan. 4.The system of claim 1, wherein a first plan in the set of compensationplans comprises a dependency on a second plan in the set of compensationplans.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further todetermine a plan type for a plan in the appropriate set of compensationassignment plans.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor isfurther to determine a processing order for the appropriate set ofcompensation assignment plans based at least in part on the plan type.7. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further to determinea processing order for the appropriate set of compensation assignmentplans based at least in part on plan dependencies.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further to determine dependencieswithin the appropriate set of compensation assignment plans.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the processor is further to determine aprocessing order for the set of compensation assignment plans.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein to determine the compensation scheme, theprocessor is configured to assign a value to a plan based at least inpart on the processing order.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein thecompensation scheme of the compensation model is based at least in parton a total compensation value.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein thecompensation model is configured to model an employee hire.
 13. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the compensation model is configured to modelan employee total compensation change.
 14. The system of claim 1,wherein the compensation model is configured to model an employeeposition change.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the compensationmodel is configured to model a change between multiple hypotheticalcompensation scenarios.
 16. A method, comprising: receiving livetransactional compensation data, wherein the live transactionalcompensation data comprises a plurality of compensation factorsassociated with an employee; determining, for the employee, anappropriate set of compensation assignment plans from a set ofcompensation plans based at least in part on the plurality ofcompensation factors associated with the employee; determining acompensation scheme corresponding to the employee based at least in parton the appropriate set of compensation assignment plans; providing acompensation model that is based on the compensation scheme, wherein thecompensation model is based on a first compensation factor of theplurality of compensation factors, wherein the compensation modelcorresponding to the employee is configured to output a totalcompensation amount that is based on corresponding amounts associatedwith each of the compensation assignment plans included in theappropriate set of compensation assignment plans; monitoring the livetransactional compensation data for one or more changes; determiningthat the first compensation factor that is based on the livetransactional compensation data has changed; and in response todetermining that the first compensation factor that is based on the livetransactional compensation data has changed, flagging and updating thecompensation model.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the set ofcompensation assignment plans comprises a fixed amount plan.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the set of compensation assignment planscomprises a percentage-based plan.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein afirst plan in the set of compensation assignment plans comprises adependency on a second plan in the set of compensation assignment plans.20. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computerreadable medium and comprising computer instructions for: receiving livetransactional compensation data, wherein the live transactionalcompensation data comprises a plurality of compensation factorsassociated with an employee; determining, for the employee, anappropriate set of compensation assignment plans from a set ofcompensation plans based at least in part on the plurality ofcompensation factors associated with the employee; determining acompensation scheme corresponding to the employee based at least in parton the appropriate set of compensation assignment plans; providing acompensation model that is based on the compensation scheme, wherein thecompensation model is based on a first compensation factor of theplurality of compensation factors, wherein the compensation modelcorresponding to the employee is configured to output a totalcompensation amount that is based on corresponding amounts associatedwith each of the compensation assignment plans included in theappropriate set of compensation assignment plans; monitoring the livetransactional compensation data for one or more changes; determiningthat the first compensation factor that is based on the livetransactional compensation data has changed; and in response to thedetermination that the first compensation factor that is based on thelive transactional compensation data has changed, flagging and updatingthe compensation model.